On the first Sunday of Advent in 2008, we received a call that my father had finally lost his battle with alcoholism. The next week or so, as we drove back and forth to North Carolina to make funeral arrangements, I struggled with a swirl of emotions: grief, loss, and sadness mixed with anger and regret. Here I was in the midst of this fresh loss right smack in the middle of the Christmas season and everything felt raw.

Christmas was hard that year.

That year, I found particular comfort in the familiar words from Isaiah 9 we read and sing so often during the Christmas season. That year, I clung to these words like never before.

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned… For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9: 2, 6

Wonderful Counselor
While professional counselors can be an important part of our support system during difficult times in our life, this version of the word “counselor” means much more. In this context, the word counselor would be better translated as “extraordinary strategist,” more like someone with the capacity for planning a winning military strategy than a therapist.

Jesus is a “strategist” that is more wonderful than we can comprehend or understand because he sees the big picture that I cannot. Those times in my life when I don’t know where to turn, when I am confused, troubled or looking for answers, I can experience Jesus as my wonderful counselor. As I seek his wisdom, the answer may come as that still small voice in my spirit, in the wise words of a friend, in the discovery of the perfect scripture, or perhaps just enough strength to endure a situation where the answer is still unknown to me. With that gift of wisdom or insight, comes the incomprehensible realization that I am never alone.

Almighty God
There are times in our lives when our circumstances are just too big, too scary, too overwhelming to face. Continue reading →

One of the reasons I prefer “real” books over Kindle books and other types of E-Readers is my propensity to underline, highlight and make notes while I am reading. Something about the process of marking the particular word or phrase serves to cement the concept in my mind.

My bible is the place where I most often leave behind a trail of ink as I find particular words and verses meaningful. The bible I use most frequently was a gift from my mother in 2000, so this book has been my companion throughout most of the 21st century. The notes in the margins, in combination with the many underlined verses, tell the story of my journey with God and his word over the years and the ways in which I heard him speak through scripture during particular seasons of my life. Just yesterday, while reading Psalm 46, I noticed a date in the margin which brought back haunting memories of a terrifying day, September 11, 2001. I remember finding some measure of comfort in those words during a time when many of us were searching for answers to a horror beyond our comprehension. Remembering the solace I found on September 11th in the familiar reminder to “Be still and know that I am God” continues to remind me how to navigate less daunting challenges. Every time I see the note, I remember.

A few weeks ago, I began a new bible study which asked us to write down the issues in our life where we most wanted to seek God’s wisdom and guidance. Among other things, I wrote down my heartfelt prayers for my daughter Alex who will be graduating from college next week. Like many other parents witnessing their child achieve an important milestone, I prayerfully noted my desire for her to find work she loves, healthy and nurturing relationships, and a powerful sense of God’s presence in her life. I prayed for her to feel at peace as she begins this new chapter of her life and to feel proud of the hard work she has done to get to this point. I asked God to protect her and guide her as she embarks on this adventure and help her find her way to a life of joy, service and meaning.

Later the same day, I was leading bible study at The Lamb Center, as I do every Tuesday afternoon. We were discussing verses Continue reading →